…Aliko Dangote’s net worth climbed to $28.5bn, reinforcing his status as the wealthiest individual on the continent.
LAGOS, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | Aliko Dangote, Nigeria’s leading industrialist has once again emerged as Africa’s richest person, maintaining the top spot on the 2026 billionaires ranking released by Forbes.
According to the list published on Monday, Aliko Dangote’s net worth climbed to $28.5bn, reinforcing his status as the wealthiest individual on the continent. His fortune increased by about $4.6bn over the past year, largely supported by the strong performance of his business empire.
Forbes reported that Africa’s 23 billionaires now hold a combined wealth of $126.7bn, marking a 21 percent rise compared to 2025. Altogether, the continent’s richest individuals added roughly $20.3bn to their fortunes during the period, aided by improving equity markets and more stable regional currencies.
Nigeria maintained a notable presence on the list, with three other prominent business figures also ranking among Africa’s wealthiest.
Abdul Samad Rabiu recorded one of the biggest gains on the continent, as his net worth surged by 120 percent to $11.2bn, lifting him to third place on the list. The increase followed a sharp rise in the shares of BUA Group companies, which outperformed the broader Nigerian stock market.
South African luxury goods magnate Johann Rupert ranked second with an estimated fortune of $16.1bn, maintaining his long-standing place among Africa’s three richest individuals.
Despite the overall growth, Forbes noted that not all billionaires recorded gains during the year. Femi Otedola’s wealth declined slightly to $1.3bn, although he re-entered the ranking after selling a significant portion of his stake in Geregu Power Plc.
